ABSTRACT
The ownership of the decision for a woman to undergo or not undergo a caesarean is fiercely disputed. The main protagonists in the dispute are probably the woman and the person who may perform the operation. In spite of this, any number of other parties have (at least) a passing interest in this decision. As well as who makes the decision, the method of deciding and the basis on which the decision is reached are also highly contentious. Caesarean decision making inevitably revolves around individual or clinical interactions. There are, however, other levels of decisions which will undoubtedly impact on those made at the interpersonal level. These other levels also warrant attention. Thus, in many settings and at many levels, decision making in the context of caesarean deserves close and careful consideration.
